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Topic: Episode 05: A Passing (Read 11169 times)

As Laren drifted into sleep he could see visions dancing before him...blurry and elusive. Memories that were his and some that weren't. He could see places that seemed familiar but that he had never been to. Faces would break through the smokey air and soon fade out. Voices, deep and forbidding, would fill his ears with whispers speaking in strange tongues.

He could see a land rich and beautiful with mountains beyond and river of silver waters cutting through rich grasses and trees. As he floated beyond he could see villages with grand and majestic towers reaching for the stars. As he came closer to the ground the could see fires and sparks in a myriad of colors. He could hear death cries and battle screams. Smoke began to fill the air and great towers were crumbling in dreadful sorrow. Laren could then see a brilliant flash of light and hellfire rolled towards him. The heat was getting intense the light was blinding and then...

A knock at the door. "Sir, I've prepared a breakfast for you if you would would like it." a meek girly voice said from behind the door. Laren opens his eyes ans sees the mirror across the room is reflecting the morning sun into his face and that he is frighfully hot under the thick covers.

Laren went to his room, and lay on the bed staring up at the ceiling, and said outloud, "Ok Laren, what do you do now? Maybe I'll have another vision to guide me..." It didn't take long for sleep to take him

Laren nods. walking Kit to her door, he takes her hand in his and says "I'm truely sorry you had to bear whitness to that." He bows as elegantly as he could, having trouble keeping from falling over, and kissed the back of her hand.

Levin leads them to the door and opens it quietly. The guards that were once on the street have left and there are a few people on the street making way. Levin looks back and says, "If you please, come with me."

He leads Laren and kit down the road a short ways. A cool wind was coming off of the mountains to the south and the ahead the sign to the Screaming Eagle Inn could be heard creaking in the early hours. Levin opens the door to the inn so Kit and laren could pass by. Upon entering the inn laren and Kit could feel the heat of a fresh fire chasing away the chill of the night air. It was cozy and warm. The heat enforced to the two just how tired they were. Laren wondered if he would ever get to sleep after what had just happened. There was one person attending the daily preparations for the day at the inn. It was a man getting on in age but still with a sturdy frame.

He approaches the three newcomers. "Good sir, the rooms are ready." Levin nods silently and turns to Laren and Kit, "old man Karek here will be sure to make your stay here comfortable and safe. Now please, get some rest. Both of you have earned it. I'll see you before you leave."

Levin says, "Yes you both have rooms at the Screaming Eagle. Allow me to escort you." He calls out, "Murkin...Grotik! Guard the Temple. I'll be back shortly." rolling his hand in front of Kit he says, "If you please, right this way."

Levin looked at Laren from under the hood of his cloak, "All I know is that it was guarded by a special order of Druids in Kulryk Wood. There the knowledge of it was kept away. Why it was guarded by them even I don't know. The release of it though has given rise to spirited ambition."

Kit slowly lowered herself and kneeled in front of her friend. She only hoped she had the strength to get back up.

"When I fled to Threshold, I too was running away from trouble. The hunters that seek me will stop at nothing to have me killed. They will kill any who stand in their way..." Kit paused a moment.

Raw emotion was having its way with her, she barely contained it. Her only comforting thought was that in her state of utter exhaustion, her innate power was infinitely weakened. 'At least no havoc could be created from it,' she thought.

She continued, "they will also kill all who may have what I have. The knowledge that could expose them."

Laren didn't miss the quick flash of malice that passed Kit's face.

"Laren, the question isn't where will we hide." Kit said, the malice now readily apparent. "The question is, where will we prepare for their arrival." She stared at Laren with a state of determination and anger that was beyond her years. Laren realized that he hadn't taken a breath the entire moment. When she she finally averted her gaze, he took a nervous inhale of air.

As she wearily got up from the floor she said, "I tire of running Laren. We will rest. Then I think it is time we talk to the Protecterate and discuss what needs to be done."

There was a fire in her eyes that Laren had never seen. The sharing of his fathers' passing pushed her beyond the grief.

Laren didn't hesitate to reply. His face hung in a stoney scowl. Exhaustion bearly visible. "We'll be here only a little while. Long enough to bathe and rest. Please have our horses ready before sunrise."

Laren turned to Kit. "Rest now. These men will take care of you."Tomorrow we ride again. I worry that you came..." Laren hung his head.

"Trouble will forever be on my heels... If the wrong people have seen you with me..." Laren's voice trailed off.

Levin quietly placed his hand on Kit's shoulder; for his comfort and hers. He whispered something in elvish almost too quiet to be heard. The twinkling reflections of the gems grew brighter as Kossuth started to cross into the large window opposite the altar. The temple was eerily quiet like the ocean after a ship that has just passed below into the watery abyss.

Holding the gem Laren could see his fathers face in peace and contentment. Alton was soon joined by a luminous figure and Laren could see his mother. Though her body was of misty quality her face was distinct. She raised a wispy hand and waved and smiled at Laren. Alton, also of similar form, floated to meet her. The two of them embraced as one and then disappeared from Laren's sight.

A bright flash overwhelmed Laren's mind and he could see his fathers friend, Copper, a bar tender at his father's favorite tavern 'The Half-Pint', being held by the arms by two shadowed men. Copper was bloodied and bruised and had a dagger to his throat. A soft female voice said evenly, "All of my roads have led me here to this bar. He didn't have it after he left here. So my conclusion is that you've hid it somewhere else. Now where did you put it? Tell me and I'll let you live." Copper rights himself as best as he can and says, "What good is the word of a traitor? I'll tell you nothing!" Without hesitation she thrusts the dagger into Copper's throat letting him choke on his own blood. The two dark assassins snickered with excitement and let him slump to the ground. "Leave his ring and his hook. Let the hunters know that they are now hunted." the voice said. The flash came again and Laren could see his fathers body in its' death sleep.

Levin says, "Laren, your father was a good man. I'll miss him much. I know your travels have you weary and your stomachs empty. I've arranged rooms for you to take some rest at The Screaming Eagle Inn. Both of you, of course, can stay in the temple as long as you like. Be warned though, the mind can play tricks when it desperately needs time away...rest is advised."

As Alton released the gem into Laren's hand and embraced him he whispered, "For years I've been your hero...and now you've become mine."

Laren gripped his father hoping that it was all a dream, hoping that it was not real. He could feel the strength of his father start to wane. His breath became dim and his arm's began to slowly pull away. "Yes Laren...there are...always......dreams...."

Alton's life left him in quiet dignity. Laren became painfully aware that he felt more alone than ever. There was an emptiness that was too big to imagine. The tears running down his face captured many feelings for which there were no words.